Recently, Union Cabinet approved continuation of the three umbrella schemes, merged into a unified central sector scheme namely ‘Vigyan Dhara’ of Department of Science and Technology (DST).
About Vigyan Dhara Scheme
- Objective: To promote S&T capacity building as well as research, innovation and technology development towards strengthening the Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem in the country.
- 3-broad components:
- Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building;
- Research and Development; and
- Innovation, Technology Development, and Deployment.
- Outlay: ₹ 10,579.84 crore during the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
- Research and development component of the scheme will be aligned with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
- ANRF has been established under ANRF Act, 2023 to seed, grow and promote R&D and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
- Significance
- Merger of schemes would enhance efficiency in fund utilization and establish synchronization among the sub-schemes/ programs.
- Contribute to building critical human resource pool to strengthen the science and technology landscape and expand R&D base of the country towards improving the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) researcher count.